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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-03-03 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting March 3, 1998 The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Camille Anthony, Vice Chairman Bruce MacDonald, Secretary Sally Hoyt, Selectmen Dan Ensminger and George Hines, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Counsel H Theodore Cohen, and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Edwina Kasper, Roger Sanstad, Russ Graham, Richard Radville, John Doherty, Michael Slezak, Margaret Cowell, Gene Raymond. On motion by Hoyt seconded by Ensminger, the Board of Selectmen voted to go into Executive Session at 6:30 p.m. for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to labor negotiations, strategy with respect to litigation, and approval of minutes to come back into Open Session approximately 7:30 p.m. On a roll call vote, Anthony, Hoyt, Ensminger and Hines voted in the affirmative and the motion was carried. The Board of Selectmen came back into Open Session at 7:35 p.m. Personnel and Appointments Council on Aging—Edwina Kasper was present to be interviewed. On motion by Ensminger seconded by MacDonald, the Board appointed Edwina Kasper to a term on the Council on Aging for a term expiring June 30, 1999 with five votes in the affirmative. Proclamations/Certificates of Appreciation Proclamation — Girl Scout Week - On motion by Hoyt seconded by Ensminger, the Board of Selectmen approved a Proclamation designating March 8—March 14, 1998 as Girl Scout Week in Reading. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Discussion/Action Items -- Approval of Cory Lane Estates Conservation Restriction - The Town Manager explained that this has been approved by the Conservation Commission and showed the Board of Selectmen the map. On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to approve the signing of the "Grant of Conservation Restrictions" for portions of Lot 1, 2, 3 and 4 on a plan of land entitled "Conservation Restriction Plan Corey Lane Estates, Reading, Massachusetts" dated October 21, 1997, and as approved by the property owner and the Conservation Commission. Town Counsel explained the effect of the restrictions. George Hines asked if it is evident to the purchaser as to what the restrictions are. Counsel noted that the restrictions were recorded at the Registry. The restrictions cannot be eliminated except by an act of legislature. The market will determine whether or not these restrictions have value. Hines felt that complications can result. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 3, 1998 —page 2 Public Comment - Bill Brown noted that the lease on the "blight parking lot" doesn't expire until the end of 1999. Town Counsel noted that the tenant has agreed to the Town's schedule. Town Meeting has authorized eminent domain proceedings if necessary. Brown said he felt that this can be taken by eminent domain. He admitted that he works for the auto parts store which is at question. Approval of Extension of Lease — Eastern Middlesex Board of Realtors - The rent is $1,900 per month plus taxes with the rent paid in advance. Dan Ensminger would like to create a strong incentive by increasing the rent. George Hines agreed. Bruce MacDonald agreed. On motion by Hines seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to grant an extension of the occupancy between the Town of Reading and the Eastern Middlesex Board of Realtors for an additional month expiring April 30, 1998 with a 10% increase in the rental payment.. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-2-0, with Anthony and MacDonald opposed. On motion by Ensminger seconded Hoyt, the Board voted that if a further extension of the occupancy agreement between the Town of Reading and the Eastern Middlesex Board of Realtors at 13 Union Street is required past May 1, 1998, then the monthly rent for that period will be doubled. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-2-0, with Hoyt and Anthony opposed. Quarterly Meeting with Town Counsel, - With regard to Video Expo, on motion by Hines seconded by MacDonald, the Board directed Town Counsel to write to the judge asking for a decision as soon as possible, hopefully, before Town Meeting. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-1-0, with Ensminger opposed. The Board talked about the hours spent by Town Counsel. Counsel would like to keep the total hours at 1,200 per year. This year is a record high. The Board asked for information on who is spending hours on what matters. George Hines asked if there were access issues — i.e., is Town Counsel too accessible. Bruce MacDonald asked about timeliness issues with the Conservation Commission. Cohen thinks that these issues have been resolved. MacDonald has reminded Counsel that if something needs to be put off, the party that requested the action needs to be notified as to what happened and why. Sally Hoyt noted that there seems to be an inordinate amount of time spent on conservation issues. Presentation — Coolidge Middle School Project - School Building Committee Members Russ Graham, Richard Radville, Margaret Cowell, Gene Raymond from Strekclowsky & Hoit, Roger Sanstad and John Doherty were present. Russ Graham noted that the reason for urgency on this project is that it allows the project to go one year earlier. SBAB has 171 projects on the docket, with 80 to be moved this year. This will position the Town optimally to move this project ahead for reimbursement. Richard Radville reviewed the proposal. There are seven classrooms, four science rooms, computer room, a multi-purpose room, a storage room, administrative offices, guidance and health offices and a conference room to be added. Sally Hoyt asked if there was sufficient land onsite to do the work. The response was yes. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 3, 1998—page 3 Camille Anthony asked about redistricting and whether that could correct the lack of classroom space for middle school students. It was noted that redistricting was possible but it would not do enough to meet the enrollment needs. Education reform, special needs and increase in enrollment have all contributed to the problem. Sally Hoyt said she thought the addition to Parker Middle School would accommodate 200 more students. It has noted that this has happened but there still is not enough space. Bruce MacDonald asked if we were planning for enough capacity. The peak enrollment in the year 2007 is expected to be 1,173 students — 27 less than capacity with this project. George Hines noted that Mr. Radville had gone through a huge list of problems. He feels that it is irresponsible the way the building was allowed to run down and deteriorate. Russ Graham noted that the state has determined that this project is reimbursable under SBAB. Bruce MacDonald noted that a litany of problems in Coolidge Middle School is shocking. Won't the same thing happen in a new building without adequate building maintenance. Russ Graham noted that there has been a parity problem with the other middle school. That compounded with additional enrollments and problematic requirements to necessitate this project. Camille Anthony noted that if there are these problems at a relatively new Coolidge Middle School, what are the problems at the High School? George Hines noted that the courtyard spaces take up a lot of room. This project is utilizing open space that is currently available to the community. Why not build a new two story addition. Gene Raymond from the architect's office noted that the building is in serviceable condition. They explored five options. The $9 million option is the least costly one. A new school which could be built as two stories would be $14 million. Dan Ensminger asked about the-enrollment issue and the "big picture." Graham noted that the School Committee will decide on this project tomorrow. Bruce MacDonald noted that the plan seems reasonable. George Hines asked if moving the soccer field is built into the estimate. The architect indicated that it was. Russ .Graham noted that the Department of Education would reimburse for the field construction. George Hines preferred a two story addition. He asked about whether the addition would have flat roofs and it was noted that they would. The Town Manager asked if all floors should be on the same level. It was noted that the tech area would be left '/2 story below the rest of the building. Sally Hoyt asked about flat roofs. It was noted that the project would include a whole new roof for the building. Longwood Poultry Farm — Discussion - The Town Manager reviewed the decision making process in the Longwood Poultry Farm. The Board decided to schedule this for their next workshop meeting. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March L1998 —page 4 RMLD/CAB Subcommittee re: Earnings Distribution - Camille Anthony filled the Board in on the RMLD/CAB Subcommittee. Dan Ensminger asked why the Citizens Advisory Board cares about the earnings distribution to the Town of Reading. George Hines noted that unless we participate in this kind of process, the issue will die. He recommends that we proceed with a process involving the CAB, the RMLD and the Board of Selectmen to establish an earnings distribution formula. He recommended that Camille Anthony be the representative on this committee. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Ensminger, the Board of Selectmen agreed to participate in the Subcommittee made up of two members of the Reading Municipal Light Board and two members of the RMLD Citizens Advisory Board, along with a single member of the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Reading. The purpose of the Subcommittee will be to develop a formula for the annual increase in the earnings distribution by the RMLD to the Town of Reading as owner of the Light Department. Camille Anthony as Chairman and liaison will serve as the Board of Selectmen member to this committee with the Vice Chairman of the Board of Selectmen as an alternate. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board made recommendations on some of the Warrant Articles for the Special Town Meeting as follows: On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to recommend the subject matter of Article 3 by a vote of 5-0-0. _ On motion by Ensminger seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to recommend the subject matter of Article 4 by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to recommend the subject matter of Article 5 by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to recommend the subject matter of Article 8 by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by MacDonald seconded by Hines, the Board voted to recommend the subject matter of Articles 9 and 10 by a vote of 5-0-0. On motion by Hines seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to not recommend the subject matter of Articles 11 and 12 by a vote of 4-1-0, with Hoyt opposed. On motion by Hines seconded by Ensminger, the Board voted to recommend the tabling of Articles 13 and 14 by a vote of 4-1-0, with Hoyt opposed. Approval of Minutes On motion by Ensminger seconded by MacDonald, the Board voted to approve the minutes of their meetings of November 5, 1997, November 14, 1997, January 6, 1998, January 20, 1998, February 5, 1998, February 10, 1998, February 12, 1998, February 17, 1998, as amended, by a vote of 5-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting—March 3, 1998 —page 5 On motion by Hines seconded by Hoyt, the Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of purchase or sale of real estate not to come back into Open Session. On a roll call vote all five members voted in the affirmative and the motion was carried. The Board adjourned at 10:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, KLI cretary